WiscoGolfAddict

As the golf world turns its attention to for this week’s one of Donald Ross’s most fascinating holes can also be found nearly 700 miles away in northern Michigan at the Donald Ross Memorial Course at BOYNE Golf’s

The 15th at the Donald Ross Memorial is a replica of Aronimink’s incredible 11th hole - a demanding uphill par four filled with more than 20 bunkers, dramatic layering throughout the greens complex and one of the coolest approach shot visuals I’ve seen.

What makes this hole even more fascinating is BOYNE’s commitment to restoring it closer to Ross’s original vision in recent years. Renovation work led by expanded the greens complex by 65%, reshaped it to match Ross’s original design intent and enhanced it with the same false fronts, shelves and offset bunkering that will make the Aronimink version so visually intimidating during this week’s PGA Championship.

For golf architecture enthusiasts, the DRM remains one of the coolest public golf experiences anywhere - giving everyday golf enthusiasts the opportunity to experience replicas inspired by 18 of Ross’s greatest holes.

Can’t wait to tee it up here again next week with and

There are some golf courses that immediately feel memorable the moment you arrive.

was absolutely one of those places during last month’s Mississippi golf trip.

Originally opened in 1916 with a back nine designed by Seymour Dunn and later expanded through a front nine by Bryan Ault, the course winds through towering hardwoods, flowering trees and beautiful rolling terrain inside Duncan Park.

At just over 6,000 yards, it doesn’t overwhelm you with length. Instead, it relies on strong greens complexes, narrow playing corridors, thoughtful angles and a routing full of personality.

And honestly, the conditioning was outstanding - significantly better than you’d ever expect from
a golf course charging $34 including cart ($16 to walk).

The club was preparing for a local tournament and instead of using the typical hole locations, many of the flags were tucked into spots that normally wouldn’t be used day-to-day.

What followed was one of the more entertaining bloodbaths on the greens that I’ve experienced in quite
some time.

Honestly, it only added to the charm.

As the round went on and we spent more time around the property, more and more people in
our group started saying Natchez Golf Club had become one of their favorite golf experiences of
the entire trip. It’s easy to understand why.

Places like this still feel rooted in community, personality and the pure enjoyment of the game -
something embodied by Greg Brooking, who as President, Head Golf Pro and [the state’s longest tenured] Certified Golf Course Superintendent seems to do it all while also serving as one of Natchez’s biggest ambassadors.

The club also hosts the each June, one of only two 54-hole World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) junior events in the country.

Golf can still feel wonderfully simple at places like this.

And that’s a big part of why we all loved it.